Small-flower death camas

Zigadenus micranthus var. fontanus (Eastwood) O. S. Walsh ex McNeal

Plants 3–9 dm, from bulbs; bulbs not clumped, tunicate, ovoid, 12–40 × 12–40 mm. Leaves: proximal blades 18–80 cm × 3–20 mm. Inflorescences usually paniculate, 10–100-flowered, with 1–15 branches, narrow, appearing pyramidal in early anthesis, terminal raceme 5–60 × 3–7 cm, proximal branches 1/3–1/2 length of entire inflorescence, extending upwards from main axis of inflorescence at 10°–60° angle. Flowers: perianth hypogynous, campanulate, 5–15 mm diam.; tepals persistent in fruit, cream colored, 4–12 × 1–4 mm, outer usually lacking claw; gland 1, obovate, distal margins evident, serrate to dentate; filaments straight, shorter than tepals, thickened proximally; pedicel horizontally spreading, usually perpendicular to stem in fruit, 15–45 mm, bracts green, 5–35 mm. Capsules narrowly conic, 9–22 × 3–6 mm. 2n = 22.

Flowering late Mar--Aug. Serpentine marshes; 0--500 m; Calif.